Oct. 24, 2011, First Air National Guard F-16 unit deploys in support of OEF. F-16 is not first tier combat airjet any more within USA deployment category. 1st Tier for AirForce - F-22/F-35/F-15 1st Tier for Navy AirForce - F18/F-35 Air National Guard - F-35/F-15/F-16 C/D (not Taiwan own F-16 A/B block 20). US Government does not sell dual engines Air-fighters to Taiwan (F4/F-15/F-18/F35) but only sold single Air-fighter to Taiwan (F5E/F-16 A/B block 20 refurbished to F-16v without engines upgrade- Island defend role).
US government only allows Taiwan airforce to play an "Island defender role" and should not take any aggressive action against China Territory. That is why Aerial Refueling Aircargo not allowed to sell to Taiwan since year 1970s until today (and maybe forever). Japan/South Korea/Israel/Singapore all them have Gov-to-Gov relationships with China & USA. USA positions 4x countries to play a regional role to stabilize their each region - North East Asia, South East Asia & Middle East to ensure each country interest inline with US Government interest since year 1970s until today.
US Government will not sell dual engines Air-fighters to Taiwan - F4, F-15, F-18, F-35 but only single engine F-5E & F-16 A/B Block 20. Singapore, Israel, South Korea and Japan have F-35 & F-15 + F-16 C/D (or F-2, deviation of F-16). All them have diplomatic (Gov to Gov relationship) with China & USA to get along without a big issue.
@@audioengineer2250 Pentagon: China Working on Upgrades to Top Stealth Fighter, Manned-Unmanned Teaming Oct. 24, 2023 | By John A. Tirpak The report indicated that roughly 1,300 of China’s 1,900 fighters are fourth-generation or better. The J-20 and FC-31/J-31 are considered fifth-generation types.
US Government will not sell dual engines Air-fighters to Taiwan - F4, F-15, F-18, F-35 but only single engine F-5E & F-16 A/B Block 20. Singapore, Israel, South Korea and Japan have F-35 & F-15 + F-16 C/D (or F-2, deviation of F-16). All them have diplomatic (Gov to Gov relationship) with China & USA to get along without a big issue. US Gov downgraded Taiwan from Country to a place since year 1979 until today (maybe forever).